Keeper or striker for latches and the like



April 27, 1948. G. HAGSTROM KEEPER OR STRIKER FOR LATCHES AND THE LIKE Filed June 14, 1946 fife/ways 'line 3-3 of Fig. 1:

Patented Apr. 27, 1948 i KEEPER on STRIKER FOR LATCHES AND THE 7 LIKE Gotthard Hagstroni, New Haven,

by mesne assignments, to The ware Corporation, Brid ration of Connecticut Conn, assignor, I Pioneer Hardgeport, Conn, a corpo- 1 Application June 14, 1946, Serial No. 676,792

The present invention relates to improvements in keepers or strikers for use in conjunction with latches or looks of the type designed and adapted for use on doors and other closures. 7

One of the main objects of the present inven- -tion is to provide a simple and reliable keeper or striker which combines low cost f or manufacture with attractive appearance and durabilityj' Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior keeper or striker assembly which itself may be utilized to lock in place a latch-member forming a feature of a latch.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superior keeper or striker having provision for locking or retaining a cooperating latch-member but having its parts so constructed and arranged that the looking or retaining'feature of the keeper is automatically retired into a non-locking position when a latch-member engages with the keeper or striker, to thus'guard against the unintentional locking or retention of the latch-member of a cooperating latch or look.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple; reliable and'eifective keeper or striker which may be readily'ilistalled by relatively unskilled persons.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a superior keeper or striker embodying a locking or retaining feature andwhich is readily available for use either at the right'or left edge of a door or other closurej With the above and other objects in'view, as will appear tothose skilled in the art from the present disclosure; --this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art. i I h In the accompanying drawings in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a keeper or striker constructed in accordance-with the 1 present invention and shown as mounted at the right edge of a door jamb or other closure-frame, the pivotal locking-lever being shown in'its retired position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view on a smaller scale of the showingof Fig. 1' and looking in the direction of the arrow 2} Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the Fig. 4 is a horizontal seamen view taken on theline4-4ofFig.1 I

' 1 Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview'of the cover membendetached;

5 Claims. (Cl. 292 340) Fig. 6 is a'similarview ofthe locking-lever; 5B

Fig. I is a similar view of the latch-retaining plate or strike-plate; and

v Fig. 8 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the locking-lever in its advanced or looking position.

The particular keeper or striker assembly selected for illustration in order to make clear a preferred form of the present invention, includes in the main a cover-member I0, the pivotal locking-lever H and a latch-retaining or strikermember l2.

The cover-member l0 above referred to may be conveniently formed of sheet metal and includes a front face-portion l3 and an integral side faceportion l4 extending at substantially a right angle to the said front face-portion l3.

Intermediate its upper and lower ends, the material of the cover-member I0 is defiectedthe material from the central portion of the front face-portion I3 being deflected into substantial parallelism with the side face-portion M to form a side panel l5, while the material from the central portion of the sideface-portion l4 adjacent its juncture with the front face-portion I3, is deflected into substantial parallelism with the front face-portion l3 to provide a front panel [6 which remains integrally joined with the adjacent edge of the side panel l5, as is especially well shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The side panel P5 of the cover-member I0 is jformed substantially centrally with a clearanceopening I! having the material" surrounding it deflected toward the free edge of the front faceportion l3 to. form, in effect, a conical countersunk portion in which may be seated the head of a cover-attaching screw l8. The said screw 18 may be extended into any. suitable supporting structures such, for instance, as the face of a jso-called stop l9 forming a usual feature of a door-casing or jamb. j

I'hefront panel iii of the cover-member I0 is formed respectively in its upperand lower edges (as viewed in the drawings) with clearancenotches 20 and 2|, for purposes as will hereinafter appear.

The cover-member I 0 is also formed with an integral flange-like rear portion 22 which extends in substantial parallelism with both the front face-portion l3 and with the front panel l5 but, is narrower than both thereof, as will be apparent by'reference to Fig. 4. Both the upper and lower edges of the rear-portion 22 just referred to, are-bent forwardly to provide flanges '232-3, while portions of the upper and lower edges of the front face-portion l3 arebent rear- I2, it will be noted that it is of plate-like form (Fig. '7) and is formed in its forward edge with a relatively-deep-and-lon'g clearance-notch 28 which is designed and adapted not onl'yto clear a latch-member but also to accommodate the front panel I6 of the cover-member II]. The said striker-member is pierced adjacent 'i-ts respective upper and lower ends to respectively receive screws 29 and 38, both of which may extend into the side face of the stop I9 or similar structure. The upper perforation in the latchretaining member I2 is countersunk 'on both of itsopposite "sides so that the head of the upper screw "29 will be substantially flush with the outer-face of, the said member, regardless of its mounting-.either right or left.

-"I "he.lower screw 30 is formed directly beneath its head with an integral collar 3| having a length inthe direction of the axis of the screw 30 substantially corresponding to the thickness .of the locking-lever I I ,through the lower portion of which it extends and upon which the said locking-leveriis adapted to swing.

The respective upper and lower ends of the latch-retaining member I2 are shaped to respectively fit within the clearance-notches 26 and '21 in the respective upper and lower edges of the cover-member II], in such manner as to complement the adjacent surfaces of the latter.

. Integral with the latch-retaining member I2 and projecting upwardly into the outer lower portion of its clearance-notch 28, is a nose 32 having a substantially-vertical inner face which provides a latch retaining abutment 33. The

--forward portion of the nose 32 is sloped upwardly and rearwardly to form an inclined striker-surface 34 adapted to be engaged by a latch-member, in a manner as will hereinafter appear. 7

The striker-surface 34, as well as the latchretainingabutment 33 of the latch-retaining member I2, is adapted to be en a ed byany suit- .able latch-member such as the pivotal latchmember indicated in the accompanying drawingsby broken lines 35. e

For purposes of clearing the said latch-member 35 and permitting the same to move into engagement with the latch-retaining abutment 33, the locking-lever II before referred to is formed in the lower portion of its forward edge with a clearance-notch 35, as is especially well shown in Fig. 6.. The upperedge of the ,saidclearan-cenotch 36 is formed with a downwardly-and-forwardly inclined locking-abutment 3'! which forms the under face of what may be aptly termed a flocking-nose 38. The clearancenotch in the upper edge of the front panel I6 provides for the clearance of the locking-nose 38.

The upper portion of the locking-lever II projects upwardly through the clearance-notch26 in the-cover-member II! to a point considerably above the upper surface of, the said coversmem- -ber, where the said locking-lever is twisted ata right angl cr in any other suitable manner mi-me us provided with a finger-piece 39 available for cover-member III will be reversed top for bottomso that. the clearance-notch 21 therein will be located at the top, andthe companionv clearancenotch 26 thereof will be located at the bottom.

The locking-lever II would then project upward- 'l'y through the clearance-notch 2'! and the clearancem'otch 2| in the front panel I6 will provide clearance for the portion of said lockingleverupon which the locking-abutment 31 is Operation For purposes of description, let it be assumed that the locking-lever II is retired into its inoperative position, as is shown in Fig. 1. Under these conditions, the locking-abutment 31 and the locking-nose 38 of the said l0cking -lever, will be retired tothe rear of the front surfaceofth'e front panel I6. I

Now, when a pivotall'atch member such as 35 attached to a door in the usual manner, is swung inwardly, its lower inner corner will strike theinclined striker-surface 34 of thejplate -li-lie latch-retaining member I2 and willride upfth'e same in the manner indicated 'attheposition A inFigs.land 8. 1

The latch-member 35 will not continue to ride up the inclined striker-surface 34and-will:fu1timately drop in behind the latcheretaining abutment 33 of the nose 32-, as indicated at'B in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. When located as; last'described, the latch-member 35 willbe releasabl-y retained and thus the door of which it forms a feature,

will also be releasably retained in positions Now let it be assumed that it is desiredto lock a closed the latch-member 33 againstbeing lifted-and thus disengaged from the latch-retaining abutment 33. Under these circumstances. the lock- 'ing IeYer H may be swung from the-position in which. it is shown in Fig. 1 into thernosition'in edge from the nose 3;: of the latch-retaining memberIZ. g I

Preferably and as shown; the screw-30 iorjits equivalent isso locatedas to cause the lockin lever II to be retainedby gravity-in either its retired or its advance positions; fieiarerespcctively shown in Figs. 1 andB,

Now let it be assumed that open, the locking-lever I I has been inadvertently moved into its, locking] position,; in: which po tion it is shownin-Fig. 8. Underthese cendi 'tions, when the door is closed andthalatchmem er 35 is cau d r d p .t11e-: '-inelined striker surface 34 .of the latch-retaining member I2, the said latch-member will be: automat' caused to engage with the front,;edge o the locking-level |.l before the latch-member can drop back of the latch-retaining abutmen Engagement of the latch-member 33 with the front edge of the locking-lever willforce the said lockingdever from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 back into the positionshown in Fig. l, and thereby avoid-.having-the said-locking-lever effect the locking of tlie;latchmenrher until such timeas-the locking-lever. repurwhen the door is posely swung from the position indicated in Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 8.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A keeper for latches and the like, including in combination: a cover-member having a front face-portion and a side face-portion projecting from the said front face-portion at substantially a right angle, a part of the said front face-portion and. a part of the said side face-portion intermediate the respective opposite ends of the cover-member being respectively deflected to provide the said front face-portion with a side panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said side face-portion, and-to provide the said side face-portion with a front panel ex tending in substantial parallelism with the said front face-portion; a latch-retaining member extending to the rear of the said front panel and having a portion extending forwardly thereof toward the said front face-portion and there provided with a latch-retaining abutment and an inclined striker-surface; and a locking-member movably mounted intermediate the side-face portion of the said cover-member and the said latch-retaining member and having a lockingabutment located adjacent the said latch-retaining abutment.

2. A keeper for latches and the like, including in combination: a cover-member having a front face-portion and a side face-portion projecting at an angle from the said front face-portion, a part of the said front face-portion and a part of the said side face-portion intermediate the respective opposite ends of the cover-member being respectively deflected to provide the said front face-portion with a side panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said side faceportion, and to provide the said side face-portion with a front panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said front face-portion; a latch-retaining member extending to the rear of the said front panel and having a portion extending forwardly thereof toward the said front face-portion and there provided with a latchretaining abutment and an inclined striker-surface; and a pivotal locking-member swingable in a plane substantially parallel with the said side face-portion and side panel and having a locking-abutment swingable in front of the said front panel to be engaged by and to lock a latchmember.

3. A keeper for latches and the like, including in combination: a cover-member having a front face-portion and a side face-portion projecting at an angle from the said front face-portion, a part of the said front face-portion and a part of the said side face-portion intermediate the respective opposite ends of the cover-member being respectively deflected to provide the said front faceportion with a side panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said side face-portion, and to provide the said side face-portion with a front panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said front face-portion: a latch-retaining member extending to the rear of the said front panel and having a portion extending forwardly thereof toward the said front face-portion and there provided with a latch-retaining abutment and an inclined striker-surface; and a, pivotal locking-member pivoted at a point below the lower edge of said front panel about an axis extending substantially parallel therewith, the said locking-member having a locking-abutment extendable over an upper edge of the said front panel into position for engagement with a latchmember.

4. A keeper for latches and the like, including in combination: a cover-member having a front face-portion and a side face-portion projecting at an angle from the said front face-portion, a part of the said front face-portion and a part of the said side face-portion intermediate the respective opposite ends of the cover-member being respectively deflected to provide the said front face-portion with a side panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said side faceportion, and to provide the said side face-portion with a front panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said front face-portion, the said side panel being formed with a screw-receiving aperture for the reception of an attachingscrew; a latch-retaining member extending to the rear of the said front panel and having a portion extending forwardly thereof toward the said front face-portion and there provided with a latchretaining abutment and an inclined strikersurface; and a locking-member movably mounted intermediate the side-face portion of the said cover-member and the said latch-retaining member and having a locking-abutment located adjacent the said latch-retaining abutment.

5. A keeper for latches and the like, including in combination: a cover-member having a front face-portion and a side face-portion projecting at an angle from the said front face-portion, a part of the said front face-portion and a part of the said side face-portion intermediate the respective opposite ends of the cover-member being respectively deflected to provide the said front faceportion with a side panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said side face-portion, and to provide the said side face-portion with a front panel extending in substantial parallelism with the said front face-portion; a latch-retaining plate extending to the rear of the said front panel and having a portion extending forwardly thereof toward the said front face-portion and there provided with a latch-retaining abutment and an inclined striker-surf ace; a pivotal lockingmember swingable in a plane substantially parallel with the said latch-retaining plate and interposed between the latter and the side face-portion of the said cover-member; and a retainingmember extending through both the said pivotal locking-member and the said latch-retaining plate and providing the pivot about which the said pivotal locking-member may turn.

GOTTHARD HAGSTROM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 103,586 Dolan May 31, 1870 1,479,655 Evans Jan. 1, 1924 

